New UN Submission Highlights Severe Employment Barriers for Persons with Albinism in Argentina
- Henrique Napoleão Alves
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
GENEVA – October 7, 2025 – A new report submitted to the United Nations details the profound and interconnected barriers preventing persons with albinism in Argentina from exercising their right to employment.
Authored by Professor Henrique Napoleão Alves, the submission, titled "The Human Right to Employment of Persons with Albinism in Argentina," builds upon the Institute's previous research on the right to health, a collaboration with medical doctors Hugo Lana Devita and Olivia Murga. It uses evidence from that earlier study to illustrate how challenges faced from a young age create a "cumulative effect" that limits access to the labor market.
While the report notes a lack of official government statistics on the employment of persons with albinism, it points to alarming data for the broader disability community in Argentina, where over 80% of individuals with a disability certificate are unemployed. The Institute's research suggests persons with albinism face a unique combination of challenges that contribute to this crisis.
The main barriers identified in the submission include:
Widespread Stigma and Disinformation: Pervasive myths and ignorance about albinism lead to social isolation and discrimination from a young age. The report quotes Daniel Matías González, a person with albinism, who described being "the odd one out" and facing looks of "contempt or astonishment."
Educational Failures: The report argues that employment barriers often begin in the classroom. Schools frequently lack awareness and fail to provide necessary accommodations, such as preferential seating for low vision, adapted materials, or even basic support for sunscreen application. Eliana Arraya, a lawyer with albinism, is quoted stating, "I know several who couldn't advance in school. That isolates you forever."
Lack of Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace: The physical realities of albinism, including low vision, photophobia, and high risk of skin cancer, require accommodations that employers often fail to provide. These can include simple adjustments to lighting, enlarged displays, remote work options, or allowances for protective measures against sun exposure.
Significant Financial Burden: The submission places a strong emphasis on the recurring personal costs for essential health items. High-SPF sunscreen, specialized glasses, and electronic magnifiers are often not covered by state or private health insurance, forcing individuals and their families to shoulder a significant financial burden simply to maintain health and function in a work environment.
The research draws on doctrinal analysis, public data, media sources and qualitative interviews with persons with albinism, their families, and health professionals, conducted for a previous report by the Institute on the right to health.
The Facts and Norms Institute, an independent academic institution based in the Global South, concludes that these interconnected issues create a cycle of exclusion that severely limits opportunities for persons with albinism in Argentina, impacting their education, health, and ultimately, their ability to secure meaningful employment.
The full submission provides detailed analysis and references supporting these findings:
Contact:
Professor Henrique Napoleão Alves
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